Elie Mystal

Justice Correspondent & Columnist

@ElieNYC

Elie Mystal is The Nation’s justice correspondent and the host of its legal podcast, Contempt of Court. He is also an Alfred Knobler Fellow at the Type Media Center. His first book is the New York Times bestseller Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution, published by The New Press. Elie can be followed @ElieNYC.

Lady Justice silhouette

It’s Time to Bring the Supreme Court Into the Modern Era—and the Light It’s Time to Bring the Supreme Court Into the Modern Era—and the Light

Justice means making the Supreme Court as transparent as possible—and that means turning on the cameras.

May 4, 2020 / Column / Elie Mystal

McConnell’s Stimulus Scam: Vaccinate Businesses, Expose Workers

McConnell’s Stimulus Scam: Vaccinate Businesses, Expose Workers McConnell’s Stimulus Scam: Vaccinate Businesses, Expose Workers

The Senate leader wants to block businesses from being sued for putting people at risk of Covid-19—thus ensuring people are put at risk.

May 1, 2020 / Elie Mystal

The Men Pushing to Open the Economy Clearly Don’t Need Child Care

The Men Pushing to Open the Economy Clearly Don’t Need Child Care The Men Pushing to Open the Economy Clearly Don’t Need Child Care

There’s no way to send people back to work without providing safe, affordable child care, but the men in charge don’t seem to care.

Apr 30, 2020 / Elie Mystal

SCOTUS Just Found a Way to Inflict More Terror on Immigrants

SCOTUS Just Found a Way to Inflict More Terror on Immigrants SCOTUS Just Found a Way to Inflict More Terror on Immigrants

A new decision written by Kavanaugh reaffirms the idea that the government can reach into a black or brown person’s life—and destroy it—at any time.

Apr 24, 2020 / Elie Mystal

Donald Trump

Trump’s New Immigration ‘Ban’ Is an Evil Attempt at Distraction Trump’s New Immigration ‘Ban’ Is an Evil Attempt at Distraction

The president is desperate to take attention off his coronavirus failures, so he’s turning to his favorite scapegoat—immigrants.

Apr 23, 2020 / Elie Mystal

These People Aren’t Freedom Fighters—They’re Virus-Spreading Sociopaths

These People Aren’t Freedom Fighters—They’re Virus-Spreading Sociopaths These People Aren’t Freedom Fighters—They’re Virus-Spreading Sociopaths

The “liberate America” protesters claim they just want to make their own choices about their health and safety, but they really want to force others to risk their lives.

Apr 21, 2020 / Elie Mystal

Joe Biden speaking at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers construction and maintenance conference

Joe Biden Needs to Start Acting Like a Presidential Candidate Joe Biden Needs to Start Acting Like a Presidential Candidate

Advice for the apparent Democratic nominee on how to behave like a leader—and defeat Donald Trump—in the middle of a pandemic.

Apr 16, 2020 / Elie Mystal

The Lesson of the Coronavirus? There’s No One Left to Trust.

The Lesson of the Coronavirus? There’s No One Left to Trust. The Lesson of the Coronavirus? There’s No One Left to Trust.

Almost all our leaders failed to act quickly enough to stave off the Covid catastrophe. So how can we trust them to tell us when the crisis has passed?

Apr 14, 2020 / Elie Mystal

SCOTUS Just Set the Stage for Republicans to Steal the Election

SCOTUS Just Set the Stage for Republicans to Steal the Election SCOTUS Just Set the Stage for Republicans to Steal the Election

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court blocked Wisconsin from extending the absentee voting deadline, disenfranchising thousands and creating a terrible precedent.

Apr 7, 2020 / Elie Mystal

Meet the Next Brett Kavanaugh

Meet the Next Brett Kavanaugh Meet the Next Brett Kavanaugh

Justin Reed Walker is 38, has almost no judicial experience, and hates the ACA. Now he’s about to get Kavanaugh’s old seat on the second most powerful court.

Apr 6, 2020 / Elie Mystal

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